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Sports Illustrated Renames Award After Muhammad Ali

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) —  A sportsmanship award given by Sports Illustrated will be named for boxer Muhammad Ali.

Sports Illustrated says in a release announcing the name change that Ali has been on the magazine's cover 38 times and was its Sportsman of the 20th Century.

The award is given to people who "embody the ideals of sportsmanship, leadership and philanthropy." Sports Illustrated says there is "no better example of this tradition of excellence and influence than Muhammad Ali."

The award has only gone to two people, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, and former NBA star and entrepreneur Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

It will be renamed the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award.

Ali will be recognized at a dedication ceremony Thursday at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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